Wall structure



May 30, 1944. r

, H. BRALOFF WALL STRUCTURE I Filed Sept. 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1/)//INVENT OR.

.1 w I ATTORNEY.

May 30, 1944.

H. BRALOFF 2,350,093

WALL s nuc'runn Filed Sept. 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F v INVENTOR. I 1r M l BY l 4, ATTORNEY.

1-1. BRALOFF WALL smucwuan Filod Sept. 26 1941 May 30, 1944.

3 Sheets-Shae; 3

ATTORN Y.

Patented May 30, 1944 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE WALL'STRUCTURE HenryBralofl, Rockville Centre, N. Y. Application September 26, 1941,SerialNo. 412,511

'7 Claims.

ing and other construction and is more particularly directed to a methodand means of erecting interior walls and partitions, as well as othersubdivision media. t

As is well known, in order to expedite the erection of inner walls andpartitions in buildings and at the same time reduce construction costs,various types of wall constructions have been proposed, involving theuse of pie-fabricated forms of numerous designs. These have generallyincluded devices of one form or another for connecting the walluprights, as channel members, to the floor and ceiling of .a building,together with specially shaped fittings and other media for grounding orkeying plaster, which forms the wall surface to the assembled forms,certain of the constructions employing sheet metal members or elements,variously shaped for functioning as the wall base, or so-called toe orbaseboard.

, All of these proposed constructions, however, fail to satisfactorilymeet the demand for a wall structure that may be economically producedand erected at a minimum of cost in time and labor and yet possess therequisite stability in resisting detrimental forces set up by vibrationsof the building, and properties of noncorrosion, vermin, and fire-proofand non-adherence to paint or plaster, especially in the zone of thebase of the wall, together with an appearance of permanence and othercharacteristics that are inherent to a properly erected built-in wall.-For example, in many of the prior constructions, the

pre-fabricated portions of the wall assembly are of somewhat intricatedesign, not only making them-relatively expensive toproduce, butrequiring a degree of skilled labor for their installation and care toprevent adherence of paint and plaster,. and laterin the maintenanceagainst corrosion orverm-in attack. Further, the methods followedinproviding a base for the wall, the so-called base or toe board, and forthe bondin of the-finishing surface of plaster therewith, in priorconstructions, donor, impart to'the base zone the necessary stifiness orrigidity. for resisting detrimentallateral and vertical forces andinsuring a permanence of=the joint-Lire between the base-forming memberand the plaster or other wall-surface-forrning material.

The general object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide amethod and means of erecting walls in buildings and other structures,involving the use of pie-fabricated components of a simple and practicaldesign, which may be quickly assembled'in'lan installation and preparedfor the application of plaster or other wall-surface-forrning materialthereto by imskilled labor, to produce a wall structure in which thedisadvantages of existing types of prefabricated and assembled wallconstructions, as hereinbefore pointed out, are eliminated, therebyextending the potentialfield of utility of such constructions andespecially affording an impetus to the development of pre-fabricatedlowcost building development.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a simpleand economical method and means of construction or erecting interiorwalls, partition and other subdivision-forming media, in buildings andthelike, which will facilitate the completion of new constructions, aswell as permit of the expediting of alterations in existing structures,with a concomitant saving in costs, and, at the same time, provide awall or partition, the base of which will possess the desirablecharacteristics of non-corrosion, proof against fire andvermin-rion-peiint or plaster adherent, in conjunction with itsstructural stability.

It is also an important object of this invention to provide a wallconstruction, as aforesaid, in which the base-forming member of the wallis rigidly retained in the position in which it is initially set in theerection or assembly of the wall, thereby assuring a degree of stabilitywhich, heretofore, has been unattainable in a wall construction of thisgeneral type, and so constituted as to render it possible to eifect asmooth and positive jointure between such member and the superposed wallsurfacing material, as plaster, the bond between the surfacing materialand the base member being ,of sufiicient density to insure positivemaintenance of the jointure, even where shrinkage of the plaster mayoccur.

A further object of this invention is toprovide a wall constructionpossessing the aforementioned characteristics and advantages, in whichthe base-forming member is made of a nonmetallic, non-porous vermin andfire proof and non-paint and plaster adherent material having therequisite degree of stiffness or rigidity, as a plastic, or the like, inlieu of sheet metal or wood, as in existing constructions, the rigidityof the material contributingto the stability of the base and of the wallas a whole, as'wellas tothe permanence of the bond that is effectedbetween the material and the wall surface-forming plaster,

as heretofore pointed out.

Other objects and advantages flowing from the practicing of my inventionwill doubtless present themselves as the description proceeds, and Iwould have it clearly understood that I reserve unto myself all rightsto the full range of equivalents, both in structure and avenues of use,to which I may be entitled under my invention, in its broadest aspect.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown certain preferred embodimentsof myinvention, as they may be utilized in constructing or erectingsingle walls and partitions of the two-wall type, as in buildings andsimilar constructions, where plaster may form the wall-surface. However,my invention may take other forms, to meet specific requirements ofproduction and use not only in the building construction art, but inother fields and structures, where the employment of my invention may befound to be feasible, without departing from the spirit and scopethereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of myinvention, showing the baseforming members associated with theirretaining means as employed in the erection of a two-wall partition.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 22 of Figure 1, with anupright wall supporting element and attached wire lath, assembled in theretaining means.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a modified form of the inventionshown in Figure 1, as used in the erection of a single wall.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevationof the structure of Figure 3, taken onthe line 4-4 thereof, showing the building wall and an upright of myassembly,-with attached wire lath.

Figure 5 is a perspective of another embodiment of my invention, as itmay be utilized in the erection of a two-wall partition, showing amodification of the retaining means of Figure 1, and a method of bracingthe base-forming members.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the structure shown in thepreceding figure, showing a wall upright, with wire lath attachedthereto, in position within the retaining means.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the retaining means illustrated inFigures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a view in perspective, illustrating a modified form of theretainin means shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a variation in the form of theretaining means of Figure B, as designed for a single wall construction.

Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of the structure shown in Figure 9,showing the retainer as it is fixed to thefioor, or other supportingsurface.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10, illustrative of the positionof the assembly, relative to the building wall, with the upright andplaster receiving medium attached thereto, in place in the retainingmeans, and

Figure 12 is a sectional elevation of a baseforming member and retainertherefor adapted to be fastened directly to an existing wall.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which like characters ofreference ar employed to designate similar parts in the several views,and more particularly to the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2,.inwhich I haveshown a pre-- ferred form of practicing my invention, in theerection of a two-wall partition, I 0 indicates a so-called fioorchannel, preferably of sheet metal, although it may be formed of othermaterial suitable to the purpose, the web of which is apertu d atpredetermined points along its median line, as at H. These apertures maybe elongated, as shown, or of other shape, to receive means forpositively securing the channel to the floor or other supportingsurface, as the nails I la, shown in Figure 2. In the construction of apartition, one or several of these floor channels may be used, dependingupon the length of the wallto be erected and the lengths of thechannels. Where a plurality of channels are required, the ends of thejuxtaposed channels may abut upon each other to form a continuous track,or the channels may be appropriately spaced relatively to each other, inaxial alignment.

When the channels ID are located and fastened in their prescribedpositions upon a floor or the like, generally indicated at chalk lineI2, they are ready for the reception of the base-forming members l3 ofthe wall, which correspond gen erally to the conventional baseboard ofthe builtin wall, as providin a finishing and decorative adjunct to thebase thereof. However, whereas, the conventional baseboard merely servesas a finishing piece, the base-forming member l3 of the presentinvention contributes materially to the strengh and stability of theentire wall assembly and upon the completion of the wall, virtuallybecomes an integral part of its surface, as, hereinafter, will becomeapparent.

The aforesaid member I3 conforms generally in contour to a conventionalbaseboard and may be.

of any suitable length, width and thickness, the upper edge or toptaking the form of a V-shaped groove l4, while the bottom edge iscentrally slotted, as at 15, one ofthe vertical surfaces defining thisslot being undercut, as at 16. As will be evident, the slot I5 isprovided for locating said base-forming member '3 upon the floor channelID, in engagement with one of the upstanding flanges l1 thereof, in theassociation of the member with the channel, the longer slot-definingsurface I61: being placed to the outside of the.

flange, so that the bottom edge thereof will rest upon the floor, whilethe corresponding edge of the shorter or undercut surface It, will abutupon, or be poised above the channel web, the tolerance between thewalls of the slot and the flange providing for a snug or close fit, yetpermitting of the placement of the member in its functioning positionupon the channel, without the use of tools or implements.

' When the base-forming member is seated or located upon'the channel, asdescribed, it will be manifest that said member will becme a virtualupward continuation of the channel flange, the latter, of course, beinghoused or concealed within the slot l5, the rigidity of the flange andthe spaced bearing surfaces l6 and Mia of the baseforming membercontributing to the maintenance of a stable assembly. The stability ofthis interconnection of the base-forming member and the floor channel isappreciably enhanced, following the setting-up of parallel base-formingmembers in engagement with the respective flanges of a floor channel, bythe employment of a socalled pressure clip l8, fabricated from sheetmetal and preferably of the configuration shown, the web portion ofwhich is provided with a rectangular slot or opening l9, formed toreceive a furring channel 20, with its lower end bearing upon the web ofthe fioor channel W, the upper end of the furring channel being suitablyconnected, as by a similarly slotted fitting (not shown), to the ceilingof the building or room. These clips l8 may be located at such stationsalong the floor channel as may be desired orfound necessary,in

the erection of a partition or Wall, and.:functionto'urgetheLoppositely'disposed base forminf; members, with'which itheir supportingsurfaces 21 andZ-Z engage, into close association with the respective:flanges of the Jfioor channel, the anchoring of the clips, by theinstallation of the tuning channela of course, adding to the strengthand rigidity of the assembly.

Upon the erection of the assembly, as just described, metallic lath orwire mesh, generally indicated at 23, may be suitably connected to therelatively spacedfurring channels 20 or wall uprights, :for theapplication of the wall surfaceforming :p'laster 'theretmthe plasterbeing worked into the V-shapedgroove I 4 of the base-formin membersl3-and bonding therewith, to provide a jointurethat, in-efiect, producesan uninterrupted-wall surface extending from the floor to the ceiling ofthe roomorwbuildin'g, the plaster,

indicated-at 24; which is keyed to the wire lath, being a virtualcontinuationof the base-forming members,- thereby entirely eliminatngdust-collecting surfacesand crevices, such as obtain inpriorconstructions, and providinga wall structure thatis vermin-proof;

In this connection; it maybe pointed out that the base-forming membersmay be of any suitablemateriahbut I havefound it preferable in theactual practicingofmy invention, to utilize a plastic, suchas transitefor example, which possesses "those characteristics and properties,whereby I :amenabled to attain the objectives hereinset forth. f i

.As eshown in Figures 3 and ,4, in the erection of a single wallorf-urring upon a masonry wall, I utilize a floor channel lll; fixed tothe floor; as previouslydescribed, thechannel being located uponthe'fioor with 'oneof its flanges 1 I I abutting against the buildingwall, indicated at 25 in Figure 4, the base-forming member 'I3-being-engaged withxthe other flange I! of the floor channel, asheretofore explained. However, in lieu-of apressure clip having a pairofco-extensive and similarly for-med supporting surfaces as the surfaces2| and 22 of the clip m l -designed to ,bearagainst' parallelbase-forming members; I employ'a' pressure clip-having-a-webifi,slotted, as at'2 'l, to receive a'furring channellll, the webterminating, at one .side,= in anintegrally formed dependent flange,providing a supporting surface 28, that is designed to bear upon theface of the floor channel flange-in proximity to the "building-wall.-Oppositely, a supporting surface 29, corresponding toeither of thesurfaces 2! and 22'of the clip l8, and similarly produced by theformation of a channel section 29a, disposed above the horizontal' planeof the web of the clip, is adapted to bear upon-the inner face of thebase-forming member, the clip functioning in conjunction with thebase-forming member'and the-flangeof the floor channel: in the mannerheretofore described, to -stiifen the' base-forming -member mounting.The connection: of the wire' lath to thefurringchannel 20'andtheapplication of i the plaster or -ot-her wall su'rfa'ce formingmaterial thereto, to complete the wall; is carried out, as in theerection of the structure of Figures 1 and 2.

In the structure shown inFigures' 5, 6 and 7, in

lieu of the floor channels 20, I employ specially designed fittingswhich are fixed to thefloor, in which the base-forming members l3 aredirectly seated and braced against lateral displacement along theirupper edges. 1 These fittings, which may be of sheet metal, orcastingainclude a main web of body-portion '30, apertured, as at 3|, forsecuring them to the floor, as described, the ends of the; fittingsbeing provided with V -slotsor notches 32 for centering them along achalk line [2; in their location in functioning position, uponthe'lfioor. Each fitting, as will be observed, embodies tworelativelylaterally spaced-seats '38, upon whichthe base-forming membersl3, employed in producing the two-wall par'tition'shown. are adapted tobe superposed in parallel, each seat being defined by an upwardlydirected outer flange -33, vanda vertical surface 34 spaced inwardlythereof, which is a component of an invertedchannel section 35, theother vertical surface-3110f whicnmerges into the web 30, in" the planeof the seat" 36. The height of the vertical surfaces 34 and 31 of thechannel section, as will be noted,'is appreciably greater than that of'the flanges 33, the surfaces '37, in conjunction with theintermediateweb 30 forming a seat in which the lower end of a furring channel 20(see Figure Blzmay be fitted, with its flanges in engagement with theopposed cooperating surfaces 31, to rest upon the web'30.

In :this' embodiment of my invention. the low-' er edge of thebase-forming member 13 is uninterrupted, presenting a continuous flatsurface connecting the two vertical faces of the member, for dispositionupon the seat 36 of the'fitting, the widthof this seat correspondingapproximately to that'of' the member l3, so that when the lat ter isentered in the seat; the opposite vertical faces thereof will be inengagement with the flange 33 and channel section surface 34',respectively, the fiange '33, as shown, being disposed externally of theouter :face of the base-forming member." Along its :upper edge, atequidistant points, or otherwise, the base-forming member l-3'isprovidedv with socket-forming openings or holes 38 for the reception ofthe complemental hook or socket-engaging ends 35 of the rods 40, theserods, as will be apparent, spanning the gap between the parallel baseforming members 13 and cooperating therewith to brace them, one

, from the other, in their upper zones, this bracing,

supplementary to that afforded by the height of the'fitting surface 34in engagement with the inner'face oi" the member, and the counterbracingin the area :of the externally disposed flange '33, insuring'a stiff andrugged wall-base'assembly. "With the wall=base assembly completed,as'just described, and the furring channel entered in the fitting-,-with its upper end suitably connectedfor support from the ceiling of theroom or building, theswire or metal lath 23 may be stretched inposition'upon the cooperating furring channels of the structure undererection and the plaster or other wall-surfacing material appliedthereto, as already explained, the plaster effecting a bond with theupper surface of the base-forming memher and embracing and keying uponthe protruding portions of the bracing rods or elements 40, to produce acontinuous wall surface, extending from the floor to the ceiling, inwhich the member 13 functions as an integral part. As will be manifest,the fittings are fixed to the floo'r or other supporting surface, insuch spaced relationship, as may be deemed desirable depending upon thelength of the partition under erection. When the latter is completed,the outer flanges of the fitting may-be hidden or concealed by theinstallation of an overlying finishing floor surface of wood or othermaterial, this method of erectionbeing particularly advantageous inpracticing my invention in structures where the fittings may be fixed tosub-flooring or other supports, upon or above which the finishing floorsurface may be laid. However, it is not limited to this specific form ofapplication, since the flanges of the fittings may be otherwiseconcealed, as by an appropriately shaped overlying molding piece orother medium.

In Figure 8, I'hav'e shown a modification of the construction lastdescribed, which lends itself especially toinstallations of two-wallpartitions where it may be desirable or necessary to fix the fittingsdirectly to the finishing floor surface without resorting to the use ofmolding pieces or the like. In this form of my invention, the lower edgeor b'ottomof the base-forming member I 3, similarly to that shown inFigures 1 to 4, inclusive, is provided with a centrally locatedlongitudinally disposed slot 4|, one defining wall of which is undercut,as at 42, this slot being complemental to the upstanding flange 43 of afitting 44, embodying channel sections and otherwise conforming to thatof the embodiment of Figures 5, 6' and 7, in structure and in the mannerin which it functions in the wall assembly, except that the width of theseat 46, formed by the laterally spaced flange 43 and the cooperatingvertical surface 45 of the contiguous channel section, upon which theinner face of the base-forming member l3 bears, as previously described,corresponds approximately to the cross-sectional dimension of theundercut portion 42 of the slotdefining surface of said member. When thebase-forming member is located on the fitting, with the flange 43 housedwithin the slot 4|, thereof, aswill be seen'fromthe drawings, theundercut portion 42 is engaged with said seat 46, while the base of thelonger vertical slot-defining surface rests upon the floor, externallyof said flange 43, completely concealing the latter. The tie or bracingrods 40, cooperating with the base-forming members, through the mediumof inter-engaged rod ends and sockets 38, function in this assembly, aheretofore described.

A modification of the fitting and the bracing means connectable to thetop of the base form ingmember l3, of the structure of Figure 8, isshown in Figures 9, 10 and 11, which may be employed in the erection ofa single or socalled furring wall, the fitting 41, in this instance,embodying but one seat, as at 48, formed by the upstand ing flange 49,in conjunction with the juxtaposed vertical surface 50 of the channelsection of which it is a component, the slotted base-forming member |3being locatable upon the fitting with the flange 49 entered in the slot4| thereof, as and for the purposes already explained. In lieu of asecond base-forming member seat, the fitting web terminates at itsopposite side in an upwardly directed flange 5| which, with the ver-'-tical surface 52 of the channel section is adapted to engage the flangesof a furring channel, en tered therebetween, as previously described. Inthis form of installation, the fitting is fixed to the floor or othersupport, with its flange 5| in proximity to the building or masonry wall25, as clearly shown in Figure 11, the relatively spaced baseformingmember l3, engaged with the fitting as described, adjacent its loweredge, being restrained from lateral displacement, as by tilting or othermovement from the perpendicular, through the medium of a bracing rod 52,formed with a hook-end 53, adapted for entry in a socket 38 of thebase-forming member, and connectable to the fitting 41, as by insertingthe end of the rod in a suitable aperture orsocket 54 provided inth'eweb of the channel otherwise.

In Figure 12 I have shown a method, whereby a base-forming block'of thetype illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, may be utilized infurring a masonry wall. For this purpose, a sheet metal bracket of theappropriate length and height, indicated at 55, embodying a horizontallydisposed base-section 56, terminating in an integrally formed upwardlydirected flange 51, functions as a support for the base-forming member|3, said base section 56 forming a seat for the undercut slot-definingsurface l6 of said member, when the afor'esaid'flange 51 is entered inthe slot |5,'the slot-defining surface Ilia, of said member assuming aposition externally of said flange and in bearing engagement with thefloor. The bracket 55 may be positively secured to the masonry wall 58,by means of expansion bolts, or other suitable devices, as generallyindicated at 59. The furring wall is finished by the application of theplasteror'other'surfacing material to metal lathing, suitably mountedupon the masonry wall, or applied directly to the latter, ifpracticable, the material bonding with the base-forming member, withinthe V-shaped groove I4, as heretofore pointed out. i

As will be manifest from the foregoing, any member of floor channels, orfloor fittings may be used in erecting a wall or partition, dependingupon the length of the wall. Also, in the erection of a particular wall,several lengths of the base-forming material may be required, themembers abutting at their ends, so as toform a continuous surface,pressure clips or floor fittings, as the case may be, being preferablyso'located that the jointure of adjacent'base-forming members will beadequately supported thereby, any of the embodiments which I havedescribed providing a wall assembly of a' pre-fabricated type, that maybe quickly and economically erected and may be advantageously used innew construction work, especially in low-cost housing developments, aswell as in alterations, as in ofiice and shop buildings where relocationof partitions is desired from time totime".

While I have described my invention, more or less specifically, withparticular reference to the embodiments shown, my invention may takeother forms and the various components of each of the assembliesillustrated and described may take other shapes. For example, theso-called pressure clips of certain of the constructions may be ofdifierent design and be adapted to receive a wall-supporting I-beam,instead of the standard furring channel, the same holding true withrespect to the floor fittings used in other embodiments of my invention.Also, the tie rods for interconnecting the base-forming members incertain of the forms of my invention may be of other shapes thanillustrated and otherwise engageable with the base-forming members andwith the floor fittings, in those instances in which they are associatedwith the latter, or other appropriate supports. Likewise, variations maybe effected in the formation of the base forming members, in materialand in elements of design, all of such changes or variations fallingwithin the spirit and scope of my invention, as set forth in thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A wall construction, including a channel element adapted to be fixedto the floor with its flanges upstanding, a base forming member for awall having a slot intermediate its width exsection of the fitting, or

tending from end to end of the lower edge thereof, said member beinglocated upon said channel element with one of the flanges thereofentered in the slot of said member, the flange being concealed by theportion of the member external of said channel element, and meansmounted to extend transversely between the opposite flanges of saidchannel element having depending vertical side walls to abutrespectively upon said member at its inner wall surface, and the freeflange of the channel element to cooperate with said slot-engagingflange to maintain said'member rigid with said element.

2. A wall construction, including a fitting having a base adapted to bedisposed upon the floor, said base embodying vertical surfaces formingthe sides of the fitting, a wall surface base-forming member engageablewith one of the vertical surfaces of said fitting and means normallyindependent of said fitting extending transversely across the same andhaving depending side walls engaging respectively said member underpressure at its inner vertical wall surface and parallel to the plane ofinterengagement of the vertical surface of the fitting and said memberand the unengaged vertical surface of the fitting, to maintain saidmember in perpendicular registration with such vertical surface.

3. A base-forming assembly for a partition having two spaced walls,comprising a fitting including a web section superimposed upon the floorand vertically disposed flanges forming the outer sides thereof, a unitfor forming the base of each wall engaged along its lower edge with eachflange of said fitting to spacedly locate the units in the plane of theflanges and restrain such flange-engaged units against lateraldisplacement relative to said fitting, and means normally independent ofsaid fitting and the respective wall base forming units having a sectionto transversely span the web of saidfitting in vertically spacedrelation thereto and having side walls, for pressure engagement with thelaterally spaced wall base forming units at their inner surfaces, tomaintain said units in parallel relationship.

4. A base-forming assembly for a partition having two spaced walls,comprising a fitting ineluding a web section superimposed upon the floorand vertically disposed flanges forming the outer sides thereof, a unitfor forming the base of each wall-forming surface engageable along itslower edge with a flange of said fitting to locate the unit in the planeof the flange and restrain such flange-engaged unit against lateraldisplacement relative to said fitting, and means normally separate fromsaid fitting and the respective wall base forming units, embodying asection adapted to transversely span the web of said fitting invertically spaced relation thereto and having depending side walls, forpressure engagement with the laterally spaced wall base forming units atthe internal surfaces of said units and below the upper edges thereof,when said units are located in engagement with the flanges of saidfitting, to maintain said units in parallel relationship, said meansbeing locatable in functioning position from above the upper edges ofthe flange-supported units.

5. A wall construction including a fitting having a web sectionsuperimposed upon the floor and vertically disposed flanges forming theouter sides of said fitting, a unit for forming the base of the wallhaving a vertically disposed slot extending inwardly of its lower edge,from end to end thereof, one of the parallel slot-defining surfacesbeing deeper than the other, whereby said unit may be associated withsaid fitting with a flange thereof entered in said slot, the deeperslot-defining surface of said unit being disposed outwardly ofsaidflange in abutting engagement with the floor externally of saidfitting and means transversely spanning the web of said fitting invertically spaced relation thereto and having a depending side wall inpressure engagement with said unit at the internal surface thereof, tomaintain said unit in alinement with said flange and additional means atthe other end of the aforesaid means from the depending side wallmaintaining said pressure engagement.

6. A wall construction including a channelled fitting having a websection mounted upon a floor and vertically disposed spaced upstandingflanges forming its outer sides, a plurality of upstanding units forforming spaced bases of the wall, each having a vertically disposed slotextending inwardly of its lower edge, from end to end thereof, one ofthe parallel slot-defining surfaces being deeper than the other, wherebyeach unit may be associated with said fitting with a flang thereofentered in and engaging said slot, the deeper slotdefining surface ofsaid unit being disposed outwardly of said flange in abutting engagementwith the floor externally of said fitting and a clip having a webportion disposed in vertically spaced relation to the web of saidfitting, and having sides projecting above and below the web portionthereof for engagement with the inner surfaces of oppositeflange-engaged units, to maintain said units in vertical alinement withthe respective flanges of said fitting.

'7. A wall construction, having a flanged element adapted to function asa base of a wall assembly, said assembly including a base-forming memberfor a wall surface, having a slot formed intermediate its width in thelower edge thereof, and extending from end to end thereof, said memberbeing located upon said element with said slot in engagement with aflange thereof, and means normally independent of said flanged element,disposed on said flanged element in spaced relation to the flangethereof in pressure abutment with said member, to maintain said memberrigid with said flange, said means embodying a seat for embracing anupright wall-supporting piece above the web of said element.

HENRY BRALOFF.

